Check strap assembly



A. P. BALL CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 13, 1930 Dec. 22, 1931.r

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BY Mmm( Wam w24/74 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .ALBERT IP. BALL, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T'O BRIGGS MANUFACTURING COM- PANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLY This invention relates generally vto door checks, particularly check strap assemblies designed for use in connection with the doors of vehicle bodies, and consists of certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle body with parts broken away and illustrating a check strap embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the check strap assembly with the door in closed position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the door in open position;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the construction illustrated in Figure 3; l

Figure 5 is a detail elevation of the strap;

Figure 6 is an edge elevation of the strap;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a slightly modied construction.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is a swinging door, and 2 is a supporting pillar therefor of a vehicle body. 3 is a check strap for the door and embodying my invention. As shown, the pillar 2 and door 1 are composite structures, i. e., formed of wood and metal, however, insofar as my strap is concerned these parts may be any suitable construction and design. Preferably the strap 3 is formed of spring steel and comprises a single length or strip having enlarged end portions 4 and 5 respectively and an intermediate twisted portion 6. In the present instance the end portion 4 has a pivotal connection with the body pillar 2 and for this purpose has a central circular opening 7 that receives the shank 8 of a suitable bolt in the pillar. As shown, this bolt extends transversely of the metal part 9 of the pillar and is held in place by a suitable nut 10. The head 5 has a slotted connection with the door and is adapted to slide relative thereto. As shown, this head has an elongated slot 11 that receives the shank 12 of a bolt extending transversely of the metal part 13 of the door in a horizontal plane above the bolt shank 8. A suitable nut 14 is used to-*retain this bolt in position.

Thus with the constuction as described, the strap 3 is between and entirely concealed by the pillar 2 and door 1 when the latter is 1n closed position (see Figures 1 and 2), and the twisted intermediate portion 6 thereof engages opposed faces 16 and 17 respectively of the door and pillar and effectively prevents rattling. When the door 1 is opened, as illustrated in Figures3 and 4, the upper end'lS of the slot is in engagement with the bolt shank 12 and the door 1 is -held against further outward swinging lmovement. In fact, the intermediate twisted portion 6 is further twisted (see Figure 4) as the door is moved from closed to open position, and as this strap is spring metal and is twisted as just described, the tension thereof is increased as the door moves from ,closed to open position, hence the door is gradually and increasingly checked as it swings outwardly relative to the pillar.

In Figure 7 I have illustrateda slightly modified construction in which the strap Gis secured to the jamb by means of ascrew'20 having a rounded shank portion 421 fitting within a corresponding opening 22 ,in the strap and having a threaded shank portion 23 engaging a threaded opening 24 in a plate 25 riveted'to themetal part 9 of the pillar or jamb. `Preferablysuitable washers such as 26 and 27 are sleeved upon the shank portion 22 of the screw upon opposite sides of the strap 6. With this method of assembly it is not necessary to apply the check strap until after the vehicle body is trimmed. Ordinarily with check straps now in common use the trim must be removed when it is desired to replace a check strap. Thus the foregoing i modification is a definite advance in the art of constructions now in common use.

Thus from the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple check strap assembly in which the strap 3 is y. ioo

having Vfaces in 'opposed and parallel relal. In a check strap assembly, a swinging closure, a support therefor, and means for checking the swinging movement of the closure in one direction comprising a strip of metal having end portions connected to the closure and support andhav'ing an intermedia'teV twisted portion normally concealed between and engaging opposed faces Vof the closure and support.

2. An all-metal check strap -tor movable closures comprising a single length of spring steel having end portions for attachment respectively to a closure andV to a support therefor, and having an intermediate twisted' portion for frictional engagement with said 'closure and support.

' '3. An all-metal check strap for Amovable closures, comprising a substantially flat strip vprovided 'at its lopposite lends with a circular opening and an elongated slotV respectively jfor receiving attaching means, and having a ltwisted intermediate portion.

'4. door construction having in combination, va jamb, a lstile hinged thereto, and a 'flat sheet metal check strap having its ends 'attached respectively to the jamb and stile for movement in the planes of their meeting fi'aces, said strapI lying therebetween in l'the ciosed position lof the door, said strap adapted upon the separation of the j amb and stile 'to exercise a restraint upon the 'door by torsion in the .strap induced by an opening'of the door. l

` 5. Ina checkV strapy assembly, 'a support, 'a door hinged thereto, the support 'and door tion whent'he door is closed, and a sheet metal 'check lstraplying between saidfa'ces vwhen in opposed position, said check 'strap having "its 'ends respectively connected to the said Vfaces of said support and 'door and parallel therewith and adapted to be longitudinally twisted intermediate the ends upon separation of said opposed faces when the `door is opened, `for the purpose set forth.

In testimonyv whereof I aiiX `my signature. i

ALBERT P. BALL. 

